The myth of the ethical consumer - do ethics matter in purchase behaviour?

• Published in: The Journal of consumer marketing Vol. 18; no. 7; pp. 560 - 578
• Main Authors: Carrigan, Marylyn, Attalla, Ahmad
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Santa Barbara MCB UP Ltd 01.12.2001; Emerald Group Publishing Limited
• Subjects: Business ethics; Consumer behavior; Consumer behaviour; Consumers; Ethics; Focus groups; Marketing; Pharmaceutical industry; Purchase intention; Social responsibility; Society; Stakeholders; Studies; Ethics; Consumer behaviour; Social responsibility; Marketing
• ISSN: 0736-3761; 2052-1200
• DOI: 10.1108/07363760110410263

Marketing ethics and social responsibility are inherently controversial, and years of research continue to present conflicts and challenges for marketers on the value of a socially responsible approach to marketing activities. This article examines whether or not consumers care about ethical behaviour, and investigates the effect of good and bad ethical conduct on consumer purchase behaviour. Through focus group discussions it becomes clear that although we are more sophisticated as consumers today, this does not necessarily translate into behaviour which favours ethical companies and punishes unethical firms. The article concludes by some thoughts on how marketers might encourage consumers to engage in positive purchase behaviour in favour of ethical marketing.